It's just been too long
since I've written and updated the world, and all of our friends, on how
this roller coaster-life is currently going. If you've followed us
from the beginning, you likely remember that silence from the McLaughlin Clan
is usually a good thing! It means that things haven't been too wild and
crazy, although we most certainly continue to have our twist and turns as well
as those unexpected drops where you lose your stomach.
We celebrated my 38th birthday last weekend, and it was such a
treat! Mike's parents and my parents both pitched in so we could have a
date night, plus an entire day together, PLUS a family birthday party! I
felt so loved. It was perfect!
As I type, Lucy
is laughing and giggling from her bedroom. It is SUCH a precious
sound from this little "Kitty" of ours. Lucy gained that
nick-name when she was just a few weeks old. Although she cried at birth, she
didn't cry at any other time while she was in the NICU. The first
time I heard her voice (other than in the delivery room) was in the NICU
Village, where the parents stay the night with the children, learning to take
care of those extra special needs they will go home with. Lucy was about
a month old, and I woke in the middle of the night to this cat sound. I
swear I thought there was a cat somewhere in that room or on that floor!
I even looked around and finally, I realized it was our
sweet,golden-haired girl, expressing herself in voice independently, for the
first time. From then on, Lucy has been known as the "Kitty
Cat". It's funny too, because Ellie Kate was "Wild
Cat", with her tomboy behavior and reputation of pulling hair and biting
both friend and foe. Ellie always did it in style though - hair bows
and tutu's, glitter and frills. Oh, what a GIFT it is to be their
Mother!!
Recent photo of Ellie Kate's Spot, ready for the Month of Love!
Since I last posted,
Lucy had an ER visit for a UTI. Henry had a sedated MRI to check on the
abnormalities shown on the MRI taken in October. Mike had a bone scan on
the ankle and foot he injured right before Christmas. I've had the
"usual" - migraines and some very painful, intense Interstitial
Cystitis flares, but overall the Lord has really helped me get around and do
everything I've needed to get done! Conner has floated right along and
continues to be an encouragement to both me and Mike, stepping in and helping
so often. He is such a joy! God has protected our family and continues
to provide for us.
More Updates . . .
- Lucy's infection
has healed. She is finally back in school full-time and is loving every
moment! Lucy has started screaming spells again, which are just
awful for her AND for us. She seems to wake up, not knowing where
she is, almost as if she can't see where she is. We appreciate your
prayers that her little mind will settle down and that these spells will
completely stop.
- Henry's started a new, weekly
Behavioral Therapy with a trusted professional, and he is doing incredibly
well with it. His PANDAS has been under control the last two weeks,
and with some medication tweaks, his OCD has finally settled down,
allowing him to enjoy life a little more.
Henry has a new love (or obsession) with
basketball, and is constantly bouncing his OKC Thunder basketball around the
house and outdoors, practicing all along the way. His new goal - to be in
the NBA.
- Conner is
happy that his spring soccer season is underway and he is enjoying the
warm weather that allows him to spend hours after school playing with his
friends. It's so fun to watch him develop relationships; to see him
grow and change. He recently got his bottom braces and his top ones
will soon follow!
Our eldest has been attending a youth group at a
local church, which we are super excite about! Conner gets to go with his
school friends to church each Sunday night, thanks to some precious friends who
pick him up and bring him home faithfully. He is LEARNING and drinking in
all that he hears and sees when he goes. It is incredibly important to us that
Our Boys have community where they do life - physically, academically and now
spiritually. It blesses Mike and I so much to watch Conner grow
spiritually, especially bc he is doing it apart from us! Conner takes the
initiative and goes, loving each moment. I'm grateful he has some really
good school friends who come from awesome, Christian families! We are SO
grateful for the "typical" experiences we have with Conner!
Our BIG Prayer Request
is for Mike and his ankle. He is set to have reconstructive surgery this Friday
morning. It will be rather extensive, seeing that this ankle (and
bone) has been infected before, so there is already trauma to that area.
He has torn ligaments, separated tendons, and more (doesn't it all sound
lovely?!) but all should be repaired by this surgery! We are super
grateful for wonderful surgeon, who has a great reputation and strong
character. He is a Believer and we know the Holy Spirit will guide him
throughout Mike's surgery.
We covet your prayers
for the following:
- That God would give wisdom to the doctors/surgeons/nurses involved
- That God would supernaturally guide the surgeons hands
- That Mike's bone would respond well and that NO
INFECTION would come up
- That pain would be limited
- That healing would be swift
- That Mike could get back to work quickly (that is HIS
request, btw:)).
There are some special Truths I want to share, including parts of
our sermon at Bridgeway Church yesterday. Today doesn't seem to be the
day to share it all with you, but I do want to leave you with this:
Jesus didn't just come to GIVE us our daily bread. Jesus came
to BE our daily bread - to be the bread that fulfills us completely, like those
who were fulfilled at the
"Sermon on the Mount".
There is NO other satisfaction than Jesus. There is NO other
fulfillment. We cannot add to it either, you guys! It's not,
"offer your best and I will do the rest" - it is complete
surrender to God, giving it ALL to Him, knowing that I have NOTHING
apart from Him.
It isn't, "God helps those who help themselves"
(which isn't in the Bible, btw).
It is JESUS. HE is our satisfaction. Not politics, nor
leaders; not riches, nor security, not our abilities or disabilities . . . it's
Christ alone.
I pray you find your ALL in Christ Jesus today; He who fulfills us
continually, always and forever.
To Hear the Entire Sermon from Seth Stewart at Bridgeway Church,
visit the following:
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